Grapevine plant named &#39;BN5-4&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct hybrid wine grapevine plant named ‘BN5-4, characterized by the following unique combination of characteristics: Very vigorous with extremely high disease resistance in the southeastern United States, including resistance to bacterial Pierce&#39;s disease and a host of fungal diseases. Average- to high-yielding vines, with dark, purple-skinned, seeded berries. Wine from the variety may be produced to be light red with a pleasant character and low residual sugar, or with a foxy character.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

This invention was made with government support awarded by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, USDA. The government has certain rights in this invention.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Vitis sp.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘BN5-4’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of grapevine named ‘BN5-4’. ‘BN5-4’ produces dark-purple-colored grape berries on bunches for use in wine production. ‘BN5-4’ originated in 1987 as a selected seedling from a controlled cross between a native Vitis aestivalis vine (female parent) pollinated with the self-fertile Vitis interspecific hybrid cultivar ‘Remaily Seedless’ (male parent). The seedling plant originally was named ‘BN5-4’ because it was the fourth seedling in the fifth row of “BN” block, which was located in Leesburg, Fla. The seedling plant was vegetatively propagated by cuttings to create several hundred identical clone plants for further evaluation. ‘BN5-4’ was continuously grown at the Leesburg, Fla. site until it closed in 1990. ‘BN5-4’ then was re-established for further evaluation in Apopka, Fla. Evaluation of ‘BN5-4’ in the field for more than 25 years has confirmed the vine to be reliably vigorous and resistant to bacterial Pierce's disease, as well as a host of fungal diseases. ‘BN5-4’ is susceptible to Phylloxera, a leaf-gall-inducing insect, although leaf galling does not noticeably affect growth, performance, or durability.

‘BN5-4’ was first asexually reproduced in 1988 by cuttings in Leesburg, Fla. Asexual reproduction of ‘BN5-4’ by dormant and green cuttings shows that the foregoing and all other characteristics and distinctions remain true to form and are established and transmitted through succeeding propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct interspecific hybrid grapevine variety, which will hereinafter be denominated as ‘BN5-4’, and more particularly as a self-fertile grapevine that is remarkably vigorous and disease resistant in the sub-tropical Floridian environment. The new Florida Hybrid Bunch Grape (FHBG) variety, ‘BN5-4’, is distinguished from all other grape varieties by the following unique combination of characteristics: vigorous growth in a humid, sub-tropical environment, exemplary resistance to the endemic bacterial pathogen Xylella fastidiosa, the causal agent of Pierce's disease, exemplary resistance to a host of fungal diseases endemic to the humid sub-tropical environment, and ability of the fruit to produce an acceptable dry light red wine. Evaluation of wine quality from ‘BN5-4’ has reached mixed conclusions, ranging from good-to-poor, depending on harvest time and fermentation methods. Under best practices, the wine produced by ‘BN5-4’ is lightly red-pigmented and can be finished dry, with little residual sugar.

Female parent Vitis aestivalis is a vigorous female vine native to Florida that produces small purplish berries, and male parent ‘Remaily Seedless’ is a self-fertile, green-berried, seedless variety developed at Cornell University in 1981. ‘BN5-4’ is distinct from the female parent by being self-fertile, having leaves without deep sinuses, and with larger fruit clusters. ‘BN5-4’ differs from the male parent by having purple berries and possessing seeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

‘BN5-4’ is illustrated by the accompanying photographs, which show the vine's from, foliage, and fruit. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The colors (except those in common terms) are described from R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society in London (second edition), in association with the Flower Council of Holland.

FIG. 1—Shows the typical vegetative morphology of stems, leaves and tendrils.

FIG. 2—Shows the typical arrangement of ripe fruit on the vine.

FIG. 3—Shows a typical shoot demonstrating leaf morphology and distribution.

FIG. 4—Shows a shoot tip demonstrating shape, pigmentation, and pubescence of young leaves, and the trifurcate morphology of the tendrils.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Phenotypic Description of Vitis sp. ‘BN5-4’

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Vitis sp.         -   Common name.—Bunch grape. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Vitis aesstivalis Native female (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Vitis ‘Remaily Seedless’ (unpatented). -   Vine:     -   -   Size.—Medium.         -   Vigor.—High vigor.         -   Density.—Dense foliage.         -   Productivity.—Average.         -   Yield.—Approximately 14.5 kg (32 lb) per vine.         -   Crop load.—Approximately 0.6 kg (1.3 lb) per vine (weight of             fruit per fresh pruning weight).         -   Regularity of bearing.—Regular.         -   Root stock.—Not applicable.         -   Own root.—Yes. -   Trunk:     -   -   Shape.—Circular, thick, and straight.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.5 cm (4.77 in) measured on             six-year-old vines at 1 m (39.37 in) above the vineyard             floor.         -   Surface texture.—Shaggy.         -   Surface appearance.—Vertically striated.         -   Inner bark color.—Near Grey Purple (RHS N186C).         -   Outer bark color.—Near Grey Brown (RHS N200D). -   Shoots:     -   -   Young shoot.—Date of bud break: Approximately March 15 in             Apopka, Fla., although somewhat variable due to temperature             fluctuation Orientation: Upright Form of tip: Open Shape:             Straight to slightly curved Diameter: 9 mm (0.35 in) at             base, 6 mm (0.24 inches) at midpoint, and 3 mm (0.12 in) at             tip, as measured on shoots 70 cm (27.56 in) long Surface             texture: Hirsute due to an indument composed of simple             trichomes Density of simple trichomes: Dense, elongated,             prostrate, near Color of simple trichomes: White (RHS             NN155B) Density of erect trichomes on tip: None Texture of             shoot surface beneath trichomes: Glabrous, near Color of             shoot surface beneath trichomes: Green (RHS 137A) Texture of             bud scales at base of young shoot: Dried, near Color of bud             scales at base of young shoot: Grey-brown group (RHS N199B).         -   Woody shoot (mature canes).—Position: Recumbent Shape:             Slender Cross section: Circular Length: Approximately 5.5 m             (216 in) at véraison Diameter internode: Base: 13 mm (0.67             in) Midpoint: 9 mm (0.35 in) Tip: 3 mm (0.12 in) Diameter             node: Base: 16 mm (0.63 in) Midpoint: 12 mm (0.47 in) Tip:             3.5 mm (0.14 in) Internode length: Base: 11 cm (4.33 in)             Midpoint: 21.6 cm (8.50 in) Tip: 5.5 cm (2.15 in) Surface             texture: Smooth with slightly raised parallel striations             Color of internodes: Near red group 46A on sunward surface             and Near green group 137A on non-sun facing surfaces. A             sparse buff-colored (Orange-White group 159A) tomentum             composed of simple elongate trichomes evident within 120 cm             of base, becoming increasingly dense acropetally. Color of             nodes: Brown at base, becoming green with a ring of brown             color typically developing on the acropetal side, becoming             green at the tip. Density and color of trichomes on             internodes: Elongate pale brown recumbent simple trichomes             in thin patches on ventral surfaces of mature cane base             becoming increasingly dense toward the tip. Density of             trichomes on nodes: Similar to internodes in position             Lenticels: Absent Average length of canes: 548 cm (216 in).         -   Tendrils.—Young shoots first appear at eighth node from tip,             however on young shoots that initiate in late season,             tendrils appear at the second node. Young shoots: Alternate,             bifurcate-to-trifurcate and ventrally curled at distal tips.             Young shoots: Trichomes hirsute due to abundant elongated             near; White NN155B trichomes. Mature shoots: Alternate at             most nodes, approximately 27 cm long, reddish (red group             46A) and bifurcate-to-trifurcate, with first trifurcate             branch approximately 10-cm long, occurring at approximately             15 cm distal to the tendril base. Mature shoots: Distal             bifurcated tendril branches approximately 6-cm long, the             branch occurring approximately 2.2 cm distal to the tendril             base, ventrally recurved at distal tips. The bifurcate             branch of some tendrils rarely convert to incomplete             inflorescences.         -   Dormant bud.—Number: Average of 24 on a current             single-season growth cane. Type: Compound bud or eye Size             (Width): Base: 7.5 mm (0.3 in) Midpoint: 5 mm (0.2 in) Tip:             3.5 mm (0.14 in). -   Leaves:     -   -   General.—Arrangement on shoot: Simple and alternate Shape:             Orbicular Lobe number: None.         -   Young leaves (first distal 4 unfolded leaves).—Shape:             Concave Size: Average 2 cm in length and 1.5 cm wide Adaxial             surface color: Color of surface minus dentations due to             thick tomentum of prostrate trichomes, Near white group             NN155A. Abaxial surface color: Near white group NN155A Color             of dentations (which lack tomentum): Near green group 135B             Anthocyanin coloration: Variable, typically on intermediary             mat of trichomes on petioles and basipetal leaf veins near             red-purple group 67A. Density of tomentum: Dense composed of             simple prostrate trichomes.         -   Mature leaf.—Average length: Leaf, including petiole:             Approximately 36 cm (14 in) Blade: Approximately 18.4 cm             (7.3 in) Average width: Blade: Approximately 21.6 cm (8.5             in) Mid vein (L1): Approximately 17.8 cm (7 in) long Second             vein (L2): Approximately 14 cm (5.5 in) Third vein (L3):             Approximately 11.4 cm (4.5 in) Adaxial surface: Color: Near             medium green group 137A Surface texture: Undulate, rugose             Surface appearance: Dull Glossiness: Weak Pubescence: Absent             Abaxial surface: Color: Near light green group 137C             Anthocyanin coloration on main veins: Variable; absent to             near red-purple group 61A at basipetal vein surfaces.             Surface texture: Undulate, rugose Surface appearance: Dull             Glossiness: Absent Pubescence: Nearly inconspicuous simple             trichomes in small patches on veins Leaf margin:             Serrate-to-doubly senate with medium-sized, wedge-shaped,             apiculate teeth.         -   Petiole.—Sinus: Shallow with small lobes Length:             Approximately 17.6 cm (6.9 in) Diameter: Approximately 4.5             mm (0.018 in) basipetally reducing to 3 mm (0.12 in)             acropetally. Color: Variable; light green becoming near             red-purple group 61A in central part, to near red-purple             group N77C in the sun, increasing with maturity.         -   Buds.—Shape: Conical Size: Medium, approximately 4 mm ×6 mm             Position: Slightly held out Cane bud fruitfulness: Basal             most fruitful at 4th and 5th nodes Time of bud burst:             Approximately March 15 in Apopka, Fla. Texture and color of             bud scales at base of young shoot: Dried, near grey-brown             group N199B. -   Flowers and flower buds:     -   -   General.—Inflorescence type: Panicle Cluster at emergence:             Orientation: Upright Size: Generally small to medium Length:             Approximately 9 cm (3.54 in) Width: Approximately 6 cm (3.36             in) Peduncle length: Approximately 5 cm (2 in) Cluster at             bloom: Orientation: Recumbent Shape of cluster: Conical with             distinct shoulders Length: Approximately 23 cm (9 in) Width:             Approximately 15 cm. (6 in) Structure: Typically bifurcate,             with the branch point approximately 7 cm (2.8 in) distal.             The minor branch approximately 8 cm (3.1 in) long with two             secondary adjacent branches 4 cm (1.6 in) from proximal             attachment. The main branch approximately 18 cm (7 in) long             with 12 variously arranged opposite and alternate branches             that are approximately 2.5-cm long at basipetal positions to             2-cm long distally.         -   Flowers.—Sex: Hermaphroditic Number: Approximately 200, but             highly variable in number Size unopened: Diameter:             Approximately 1 mm (0.4 in) Length: Approximately 2.5 mm             (0.098 in) Surface texture: Smooth Date of full bloom:             Approximately April 5 at 75% Calyptra color: Near green             group 135B Receptacle color: Near green group 135C Stamens:             Six and upright Pistils: Well-developed, approximately             2.4-mm (0.09 in) long, near green group 135B Pollen: Normal,             fertile, abundant. -   Fruit:     -   -   General.—Ripening period: Early, approximately June 25-July             15 Use: Wine Keeping quality: Unknown Shipping quality:             Unknown Date of first harvest: June 25 Solids sugar: Medium             to high Refractometer test: 21 soluble solids (sugar) Acid:             0.8 Juice pH: 3.4 Tendency to crack: None Sensitivity to             sunburn: Low Fruit shrivel after ripe: Average to High             Secondary cluster: Yes.         -   Cluster.—Size: On spur pruned vines, the characteristics of             fruit clusters are as follows: Length: Approximately 15.0 cm             (5.91 in) Width: Approximately 10 cm (3.94 in) Shape:             Conical Density: Relatively dense approximately 120 berries             per cluster on average Clusters per vine: Approximately 39             when spur pruned Clusters per shoot: Approximately 2-3.         -   Peduncle.—Length: Approximately 4 cm (1.6 in) Diameter:             Approximately 2 mm (0.08 in) Color: Near group 46A             proximally, changing to near green group 140B distally             Texture: Somewhat rough and hirsute.         -   Pedicel.—Attachment to berry: Good Length: Approximately 5             mm (0.12 in) Diameter: Approximately 1.5 mm (0.59 in)             Texture: Rough Brush length: Approximately 2 mm (0.08 in).         -   Berry.—General use: Wine production Ripening time:             Approximately the second week of August in Apopka, Fla.             Flowering and fruit set are somewhat indeterminate, so that             unripe clusters typically are present as late as October,             unless removed by thinning. Uniformity of size: Uniform             Size: Small Berry weight: Average weight is approximately             1.4 g (0.05 oz) Shape: Round to slightly ovoid Presence of             seeds: Cross section: Round Length: Approximately 14 mm             (0.55 in) Width: Approximately 9 mm (0.35 in). -   Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Relatively thick.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Near greyed-purple group N186A.         -   Tenacity.—Non-adherent and slips readily from flesh.         -   Skin tendency to crack.—None. -   Flesh:     -   -   Color.—Translucent near yellow-green 145D.         -   Texture.—Firm.         -   Juice production.—Good.         -   Color of juice.—Near red-purple group 67A.         -   Flavor.—Sweet and fruity with a mild muscat flavor.         -   Soluble solids.—18.8% to 25% depending on time of harvest.         -   Titratable acid.—Approximately 0.8 to 1.5 from fruit             harvested at approximately 18% soluble solids.         -   Aroma.—Neutral to slightly “foxy” aroma.         -   Ripening.—Uniform within clusters. -   Seeds:     -   -   Character of seeds.—Prominent with approximately 3.6 per             berry.         -   Average weight (100 seeds).—3.7 g (0.13 oz).         -   Flesh to seed ratio.—11:1.         -   Seed color.—Near greyed-orange group 177B.         -   Seed shape and size.—Pyriform shape and medium size. -   Use:     -   -   Primary use.—Wine.         -   Keeping quality.—Average for wine grapes.         -   Shipping and handling qualities.—Unknown. -   Resistance to disease:     -   -   Bacterial disease resistance.—Tolerant to Pierce's disease             and does not exhibit symptoms.         -   Fungal disease resistance.—Highly resistant to all             debilitating fungal diseases in the Floridian environment.         -   Insect resistance.—Susceptible to grape phylloxera             (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch), which causes elongated             cylindrical galls on leaves, but which does not inhibit             growth and requires no control. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct grapevine plant substantially as illustrated and described herein, characterized by high vigor and durability in the Floridian environment with use for production of red wine. 